Bookstores deliver magic

Power of Potter

For the last time ever, Muggles and wizards alike will celebrate the release of a Harry Potter book.

Area booksellers are gearing up for the granddaddy of all magical parties, the midnight release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," by J.K. Rowling. The hotly anticipated book, the seventh in the series, goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. July 21.

Most bookstores have taken advance orders of the book and will hand out wristbands on a first-come, first-serve basis. The wristbands indicate the order you can claim your book in.

Since this is the last book in the best-selling series about the teenage wizard, bookstores expect this to be the biggest of all the previous midnight-release parties.

Brian Petronio, assistant manager at the Barnes and Noble on Illinois 59 in Plainfield, said they are expecting "quite a few people, probably hundreds" at the store's Midnight Magic party. They already have 700 pre-orders, he said.

The party starts at 8 p.m. and lasts until the last Muggle gets his book. Customers are encouraged to dress up as their favorite character from the books, and there will be a variety of prizes, giveaways and activities.

They'll have a cutout of Harry Potter and someone on hand to take pictures of fans posing with Harry. You'll even be able to design a frame for your picture. There will also be a fortune-teller, face painting and a "Bertie Botts" jellybean counting contest.

"They're the official Harry Potter beans -- even ones that taste like vomit and boogers," he said.

"We get kids, parents, even grandparents," he said. "It's an event for the whole family, which is really cool. People don't want to miss the fun and festivities."